Being a Woman in Africa is automatically synonymous with limitations. These “limitations” are not self-imposed, rather, we are born into it. As more movements are spearheaded, female empowerment causes pioneered and feminism on the rise; we are witnessing a new crop of women who are not only moving past these seeming limitations but also, breaking boundaries, shattering records, making new records and blazing trails.
Sherifat Aralola Apeke Olamuyiwa popularly known as “Ara” Wonder, is what we call a “Trail Blazer”, as Nigeria’s first female talking drummer of international repute, this woman right from her childhood plays the talking drum with a dexterity that is both AWE-FULL and beautifully inspiring. The fascinating thing about Ara’s craft is the message it communicates and the feeling it evokes- that it is possible for a woman to venture into what was hitherto a male “owned” territory.
Ara has won numerous awards over the years, has been involved in a lot of charity works. In 2016, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi appointed her as cultural ambassador to the kingdom of Ife, she was also appointed Melody for Dialogue among Civilisations and Association (UN) Water Ambassador.
In a chat with This Day Live, Ara talks about preserving the African culture.
“Culture will never go out of fashion. What I play, the instrument that I carry is a cultural instrument. So, till thy Kingdom come, even long after I am gone, it would go on, It is beyond me”
How phenomenal!
